Believe in Him

Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

John 4:26

Here's the thing about depression and anxiety. They are both visible and invisible. For some they are visible only to the experiencer. For some they are visible to everyone. For some they are invisible, but the behaviors and the sluggishness is evident that there is something, "but I just can't put my finger on it." Depression and anxiety do not have to be clinical to be experienced. Depression and anxiety do not have to be rockbottom to be a warning sign. It is absolutely 100% okay, to feel off and want to address it. You don't have to wait for something visible to prove that you weren't feeling all that great, or you weren't feeling yourself. Life is life. And it comes with ups and downs. And it comes with mountains and valleys. And it comes with good days and bad days. And the thing about depression and anxiety, is that even though it's there--it's present in your world, it is present in the world of others--it is believably challenging and worth addressing. No matter how small or how big.

John chapter 4 was too good to just stop with the Samaritan woman (See "Be Full In Him"). This chapter explodes with believing. It invites believing in Him whether you saw His miracles or did not. The amazing thing about scripture, is its longevity and truth. The truth that it was for the Samaritans as they actually got to witness Him. The truth that it is for you now, as you continue to get to witness Him, but in a slightly different way. He spent time with the Samaritan woman (something unthinkable during the time), and He shared with her the Gospel. He shared with her, the truth. And she listened, but it took more for her to believe. She was quick to identify Him as a prophet because of His knowledge of her sins, something that she must have kept so private or even if some people knew she probably was not going around telling everyone. Sound like depression and anxiety? A little bit. He knows your depression and anxiety. He is present during those times, as much as He is present during the good times. He does not abandon you when the valleys get deep, and He does not only wait for you at the tops of mountains. He is with you every step of the way. Even in the low valleys.

The Samaritan woman says "I know that Messiah, (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us" (John 4:25). If you read right before this, He has explained it to her, He explained everything in simple terms, "Everyone who drinks the water (the water in the well) will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4: 13-14, added mine). He told her everything. And still she says: well yea when He gets here I will know. He is here! He is present! How kind He was to point this out very directly for her in John 4:26 "Then Jesus declared, 'I, the one speaking to you--I am he.'" She then quickly returns to town and tells everyone. They say that they believe her because of what she has said, they went to Him and experienced His words, and they then believed more that He is who He says He is.

Sound like depression and anxiety? Sometimes it is hard for you to believe that people are going through this until you see it for yourself. Sometimes you believe it but at the same time can't believe it until it is right in front of you. And then you see it, like the Samaritans saw Him, and say "now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man is the Savior of the world" (John 4:42). This is what is it like living with depression and anxiety at times, people believe you but need more than just words. And then depression and anxiety has to perform to get the validation.

This chapter stands out because of the patience that He has with people. He shows kindness in their need for more. He shows kindness in your need for more. Though He grows tired, at least I imagine that as I read John 4:48: "Unless you people see signs and wonders" Jesus told him, "you will never believe." He continues to show them who He is. The experiences of depression and anxiety do not need to be proven, they need to be heard. They do not need to be showcased, they need to be understood. He models this for you. He models, the power of being Christlike.

Scripture:

John 4

John 4:25

John 4:13-14

John 4:26

John 4:42

John 4: 48

Questions:

What is your current experience with depression and anxiety? How do you need support?

How has He been present with you? Were you able to accept this?

What experience do you go through when hearing of other people's experiences? Do you need proof?

How can you be present with yourself right now? With others? With Him?

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for sending your son to us to model the behaviors that are pleasing to you. Thank you for showing us, through Him what brings you joy. Thank you for allowing our experiences to guide us closer to a relationship with you. Lord, I pray that as others experience depression and anxiety that they turn to you, rather than things that hurt more in the end. I pray that as we hear of others going through hardship that we first seek to understand and be empathetic. Lord I ask that you place your hands on those who hide their experiences out of fear of not being heard, not being understood, and I pray that you place in their path someone who can show them the love that your son showed to the Samaritans. I pray that we can become more patient with others, and that we can begin believing without the need to experience proof. I pray that as we continue to grow in a relationship with you and your son, that we can carry this into our lives and relationships with others. In your son's name. Amen.